Books vs Screens: Is This the End of Artistic Literature?
In a world ruled by smartphones and computers, renowned writer Ljubica Arsić shines a light on a shocking reality: young people are reading less and less artistic literature, especially classics. Is this the end of reading as we know it?
Technology Steals Our Attention
Ljubica Arsić points out that while there is always a group of people who love books and read, modern technology steals our attention. Instead of deep reading, young people settle for quickly scrolling through posts and e-books, which is not the same. Reading artistic literature requires silence, concentration, and motivation — skills that are in short supply today.
Do Young People Hate Classics?
It’s alarming that artistic literature, especially classics, is often seen by young people as something unimportant and boring. Arsić believes this is due to a distancing from the true values of reading. Studies show that today, the fewest young people read, a trend that cannot be ignored.
A New Book and Fashion in Literature
Despite everything, Ljubica Arsić is working on a new book called “Naked Dressed,” exploring the connection between literature and fashion. How do writers dress their characters? Why just like that? Maybe this book will encourage readers to pay attention again to great literary characters and works.
Reading as a Skill and a Need
Arsić emphasizes that reading has always been a skill requiring attention and concentration. In the era of fast digital media, returning to this skill is a challenge. “If you’re always running fast, you have to stop sometimes and take a breath,” she says. There will always be a “yeast” of reading spirit reaching for a book, but the question is how to motivate them.
Is Culture and Literature Subversive Today?
Is culture and literature subversive today? Arsić thinks it’s important to open space for different examples and show that there are writers beyond the trendy self-help literature. Unfortunately, educated people read little, and reading is a skill practiced by a minority.
Conclusion: The End of Reading?
Although it’s often exaggerated that people read much more in the past, Arsić believes there has always been a number of people who love books. Today’s challenge is how to motivate young people to return to artistic literature and realize that a book is not just an old thing but a living connection to a world of ideas and emotions.
If you’ve noticed your phone stealing your reading time, maybe it’s time to stop and take a breath — with a good book. And if you have your own tricks to bring back the love of reading, share them in the comments — maybe you’ll be the one to start a reading revolution!
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